Assessment of Pain, Occupational Fatigue, Sleep and Quality of Life in Nurses

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the pain, occupational fatigue, sleep, and quality of life in nurses and the relationships between them. Materials and Methods: One hundred two volunteer nurses were included in this cross-sectional study. The questions included in the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire, Occupational Fatigue/Exhaustion/Recovery scale, Sleep Hygiene index, and World Health Organization Quality of Life scale Short Form Turkish version questionnaires were answered by the participants. The scores of these questionnaires, professional year, and weekly working hours data were used in the analysis. Results: The most reported body regions where pain or discomfort were felt in the last 12 months were the low back (76.5%), upper back (72.5%), and neck (66.7%); the regions with pain or discomfort that caused work disability in the last 12 months were the low back (42.2%), upper back (30.4%) and neck (25.5%); the regions with pain in the last seven days were the low back (57.8%), upper back (30.4%) and neck (50%), respectively. The mean chronic (52.9±25.3) and acute fatigue (62.8±20.1) sub-scores were at medium-high fatigue levels. High sleep hygiene index scores in the low back pain and work disability due to low back pain in the last 12 months [odds ratio (OR)=1.11, p=0.03; OR=1.11, p=0.005] and high chronic fatigue sub-scores in the work disability due to upper back and neck pain in the last 12 months (OR=1.04, p=0.02; OR=1.05, p=0.002) were found to be significant risk factors. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal problems were common in nurses. Poor sleep hygiene and high chronic fatigue are significant risk factors. Interventions to improve sleep hygiene and reduce chronic fatigue can reduce painful conditions and related disability in n